Peter Fontaine Movies
- 1974
- R
The British "Confessions" film series was reminiscent of the "Carry On" series, albeit far, far dirtier. Many fans consider the first entry, Confessions of a Window Cleaner, to be the best of the batch. Based on a supposedly autobiographical novel by Timothy Lea, the film stars Robin Askwith as an apprentice window washer with a voyeuristic streak. Nearly everyone with whom Askwith comes in contact is an oversexed, underdressed female. Potato-shaped
Dandy Nichols plays the protagonist's mother. An anachronism even before it was released, Confessions of a Window Cleaner was nonetheless successful enough to inspire several sequels, none of which were released to American theatres. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Dandy Nichols plays the protagonist's mother. An anachronism even before it was released, Confessions of a Window Cleaner was nonetheless successful enough to inspire several sequels, none of which were released to American theatres. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
First telecast in England on December 28, 1963, this episode begins with a missile attack on England, which fortunately proves to be a fake. Wondering why only one of the country's radar stations failed to report the attack, Steed purchases some valuable property bordering that station. Shortly afterward, he and his new neighbors are invited to a New Year's Eve celebration on board a train. When the guests begin dying at an alarming rate, Cathy Gale races to the rescue -- fetchingly disguised as a belly dancer. Celebrated comic actors Leonard Rossiter and John Junkin appear in supporting roles. Written by Brian Clemens, "Dressed to Kill" remained unseen in America until March 21, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Kit (Doris Day), an American married to wealthy London businessman Tony Preston (Rex Harrison) becomes the terrified victim of a mysterious stalker, who she hears but can never see. She is threatened by the eerie, high-pitched voice as she walks in the thick London fog. She then begins receiving repeated threatening telephone calls. The now totally panicked Kit is nearly killed when someone pushes her in front of a bus. Unfortunately for Kit, no one but she hears the voice or the telephone calls and neither Tony, Kit's visiting aunt Bea (Myra Loy), or Scotland Yard take any of these incidents seriously. The only one who seems to believe Kit is Brian Younger (John Gavin), a construction foreman, but Kit is not convinced that she can trust him. The tension builds to a thrilling climax as Kit flees for her life on a scaffolding outside her apartment building. Midnight Lace is an exciting thriller, with many surprising plot twists and a nice sinister performance by Rex Harrison. Roddy McDowall is also fun as the son of Kit's housekeeper, who keeps hitting up his mom for money. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Doris Day, Rex Harrison, (more)
- 1958
In this mystery, the wife of the recently kidnapped Dr. Manning enlists the assistance of a Scotland Yard detective and a private eye to find him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1957
In this comedy, a milque-toast bank clerk is forced to deliver blackmail money to a seductive woman. Misunderstandings abound when the clerk's brother-in-law sees him leaving the woman's house. Soon word that the clerk has become a dashing rake is spread around the town. In the end, the owner of a sexy lingerie factory offers the clerk a partnership in his business. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1957
In this crime melodrama, a car salesman (and suspected safecracker) saves his fiancee from those who would kidnap her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1952
Derek Bond stars as a society doctor in the British A Distant Trumpet. Bond's more idealistic brother Derek Elphinstone tirelessly labors away as a missionary. When Elphinstone becomes to ill to work, Bond reluctantly takes over for his brother. In so doing, Bond finds his true calling in life. Costar Derek Elphinstone also coproduced and wrote the screenplay for this overambitious 61-minute programmer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1948
Ann Markham (Margaret Lockwood) is an employee with the British Embassy in Rio de Janeiro. Though ostensibly businesslike and intelligent, Ann can't help falling in love with irresponsible Charlie Kent (Griffith Jones). On their wedding day, Ann discovers that Charlie is on the lam from fraud charges throughout the world. Still, she believes his promise that he'll mend his ways once they've tied the nuptial knot. Not unexpectedly, Charlie goes back on his word, and it is up to handsome millionaire Ashley Morehouse (Norman Wooland) to save Ann from her poor judgment. It was surprising to see the British film industry's resident "wicked lady" Margaret Lockwood playing so gullible a character -- so surprising, in fact, that audiences tended to stay away from Look Before You Love in droves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Margaret Lockwood, Griffith Jones, (more)
